US to strengthen defence ties with India to deter China

The United States will advance its major defence partnership with India to enhance its ability to deter China's aggression and ensure free and open access to the Indian Ocean region_ says a new US defence strategy launched over the weekend.

'The People's Republic of China (PRC) remains our most consequential strategic competitor for the coming decades_' US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin wrote in his introductory note for the United States National Defence Strategy 2022.

This release follows the publication of the US National Security Strategy 2022_ which marked China as America's main rival in today's world.

The defence strategy_ however_ is more explicit on India's role in containing China and promises to work with New Delhi to thwart China's alleged campaigns to 'establish control over its disputed land borders' with India.

The new strategy quotes US President Joe Biden as saying that China is 'the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly_ the economic_ diplomatic_ military_ and technological power to do so.'

Secretary Austin also mentions Russia in his note_ saying that the United States will maintain collaboration with its Nato allies and partners to 'reinforce robust deterrence in the face of Russian aggression' in Ukraine.

Noting that China 'poses pacing challenge_' the strategy points out that recent events 'underscore the acute threat posed by Russia' as well. The strategy claims that Russia is 'contemptuous of its neighbors independence' and 'seeks to use force to impose border changes and to reimpose an imperial sphere of influence.'

'Russia presents serious_ continuing risks in key areas_ including nuclear and long-range missiles threats_' the US national defence strategy warns. The paper also mentions 'cyber and information operations; counterspace threats; chemical and biological weapons (CBW); undersea warfare; and extensive gray zone campaigns targeted against democracies in particular.'

The document notes that the relationship between China and Russia continues to increase in breadth and 'either state could seek to create dilemmas globally & in the event of United States engagement in a crisis or a conflict.'

The 2022 defence strategy sets forth how the US military will meet growing threats to vital US interests and directs the Department of Defence to 'act urgently to sustain and strengthen US deterrence_ with China as its pacing challenge.'